Starting out with sewing

[Deleted]

I would love to know what is required for basic startup of just mending clothes that can be mended. For instance, my son and hubby are really rough with their clothes and they get tears and splits here and there. Also ripped a shower curtain I love which I've saved for mending because it's a simple rip along the seam which just needs to be restitched. My mother is a master seamstress. She has been making full-on fancy dresses for my sister and I since we were little. But, anytime I approach her on what I should gather she insists on giving me her sewing machine and supplies (it's literally like 90834098304984 different color threads, multiple thread types, apparently there's thick ones/thin ones etc). I just don't want to have to create an entire space for setting up a sewing machine. The one extra space we had I used for jewelry making and my makeup, we had change that to set up a homeschool space (so many books!). I am also in the midst of simplifying/minimizing my life in general and don't want to create yet another pile of something that's not absolutely essential. Is there perhaps just 2 types of thread and one needle that I could get that would help me sew the minor things I listed above?

Down the road I would love to get a sewing machine and patterns and make things like skirts. That would be amazing. Right now is just not the right time though, but I still want to do basic mending. At least, I consider these ripped articles to be basic mending. Maybe a sewing machine would be needed after all to do the right type of stitch? I am not really sure. I went and took two pictures of the type of rips I meant. The ones posted are of the shower curtain. 


Edit: Looks like I was unsuccessful in directly posting the photos. They can be found here: imgur.com/a/uzgZt I hope...

[feather]

If you aren't ready for a sewing machine, just hand sew it. You'll need a pin cushion, usually cotton covered polyester thread in the color you want, sewing needles (multi-pack) with bigger eyes (not the tiny eyes for quilting). Optionally, a thimble. There are many hand stitches you can learn just looking them up on line and having patience. Many of them mimic the looks of the stitches on a sewing machine.
You might want a sewing basket, any basket to hold your mending supplies.

I prefer handstitching hems over a sewing machine, and hand stitching the last of the binding on quilts.
Here are some basic stitches. craftingagreenworld.com/2011/12/03/on-the-mend-4-stitches-to-repair-damaged-clothing/

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2015 0:28:48 GMT feather said:

If you aren't ready for a sewing machine, just hand sew it. You'll need a pin cushion, usually cotton covered polyester thread in the color you want, sewing needles (multi-pack) with bigger eyes (not the tiny eyes for quilting). Optionally, a thimble. There are many hand stitches you can learn just looking them up on line and having patience. Many of them mimic the looks of the stitches on a sewing machine.
You might want a sewing basket, any basket to hold your mending supplies.

I prefer handstitching hems over a sewing machine, and hand stitching the last of the binding on quilts.
Here are some basic stitches. craftingagreenworld.com/2011/12/03/on-the-mend-4-stitches-to-repair-damaged-clothing/

Thanks so much! Just the information I was looking for Also thank you for successfully posting my picture!

[dw]

Another thought is pick up a "how to sew" book. I have no idea which one but I bet it will give you some pointers. I always see them at thrift stores but if you want new...use coupon and try JoAnns.

[Maura]

Denim can be hard to hand sew, but if you just use a larger needle you can probably do it. Look for a tailor’s thimble. Your mom may even have one. It is a tube and will fit farther down your finger.

I like hand sewing and each of my seven grandkids got a small baby quilt when they were born, from me. All hand pieced and hand quilted.

There are specific ways to hand sew and hand darn and hand mend. I suggest looking online for hand mending. A ‘sewing book’ will assume you are using a machine.

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2015 14:54:12 GMT Maura said:

I like hand sewing and each of my seven grandkids got a small baby quilt when they were born, from me. All hand pieced and hand quilted.

Maura that is so amazing! What a precious gift and keepsake for later on.

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2015 14:05:39 GMT dw said:

Another thought is pick up a "how to sew" book. I have no idea which one but I bet it will give you some pointers. I always see them at thrift stores but if you want new...use coupon and try JoAnns.

I thought just putting the needle in and taking it out forming those little dashes (the only example I can think of is when the mice in the Disney movie Cinderella make that pink dress for her lol) would be enough to do a basic mend. I see I was misinformed. From Maura's post I now know there are different ways to hand sew/mend clothing. So I will definitely look into this. 

Sept 22, 2015 14:54:12 GMT Maura said:

Denim can be hard to hand sew, but if you just use a larger needle you can probably do it. Look for a tailor’s thimble. Your mom may even have one. It is a tube and will fit farther down your finger.

I like hand sewing and each of my seven grandkids got a small baby quilt when they were born, from me. All hand pieced and hand quilted.

There are specific ways to hand sew and hand darn and hand mend. I suggest looking online for hand mending. A ‘sewing book’ will assume you are using a machine.

I don't have denim to mend I don't think but maybe I'll just get a large needle regardless, so that I can use it down the road. The pants I need to sew are either polyester or cotton, and they have the same feel as khakis so they're not super tough. I just looked up the uses for a thimble. I initially thought they were just to protect from pricking the finger, but apparently they are used to push the needle in as well. When working with a tough/strong material like denim I can see how that would be incredibly useful!

[Deleted]

Some of the sewing stores in our area have classes where you can learn to make items. Many are advanced, but they often have beginner classes, and often if you sign up early enough you can reserve on e of the stores machines to use. This would allow you to try some different machines to see what you like.

[kawaiitimes]

You can do it! I come from a long line of seamstresses/master quilters who sound like your mom. I started with a sewing kit, about the size of a first aid kit. It had a range of hand sewing needles for different fabrics, and thread in basic colors (black, white and blue, I think). It also had a couple of thimbles and some small sewing scissors.

You can do a lot with a simple straight stitch like in Cinderella. But once you get started you will find that some of the prettier stitches arent much harder after a bit of practice. The hardest part for me has always been consistent spacing. But that is always better when I have a lot of sewing to do.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2015 3:47:07 GMT @halfpint said:

Some of the sewing stores in our area have classes where you can learn to make items. Many are advanced, but they often have beginner classes, and often if you sign up early enough you can reserve on e of the stores machines to use. This would allow you to try some different machines to see what you like.

You know it really is amazing the resources around us if one just knows to keep their eyes open. I just stumbled upon free language classes for 71 different languages along with free access to an online learning tool through our library. I will definitely keep my eye out for sewing classes as well, thanks!

Sept 25, 2015 5:57:41 GMT kawaiitimes said:

You can do it! I come from a long line of seamstresses/master quilters who sound like your mom. I started with a sewing kit, about the size of a first aid kit. It had a range of hand sewing needles for different fabrics, and thread in basic colors (black, white and blue, I think). It also had a couple of thimbles and some small sewing scissors.

You can do a lot with a simple straight stitch like in Cinderella. But once you get started you will find that some of the prettier stitches arent much harder after a bit of practice. The hardest part for me has always been consistent spacing. But that is always better when I have a lot of sewing to do.

Good luck!

I don't know why but knowing just one person got my Cinderella reference filled me with glee Thanks for sharing how you started out!

[mollymckee]

Does you Mom have a portable machine she would part with? Then you could just get it out when you want to use it. A sewing machine will do a better, longer lasting job of mending, especially boys and men's things. It's much faster as well.

[Deleted]

I agree see if you can find an old machine with basic stitches to learn on, and the n if you want to advance you can buy a better machine.
Good luck
P.S. It sounds like your mom wants you to learn, can she give you some lessons?

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2015 15:08:50 GMT mollymckee said:

Does you Mom have a portable machine she would part with? Then you could just get it out when you want to use it. A sewing machine will do a better, longer lasting job of mending, especially boys and men's things. It's much faster as well.

No she has two or three machines and they all sit in the same spot so I don't think they're portable. They are Janome and Singer brands if I remember. One I think she told me doesn't so much stitch but does embroidery and such. This was a while ago, I haven't asked her many details so they could very well be portable. So my husband's pants seem to rip at the...groin(?) area or the inner thigh area and my son's all rip at the knees or some are random like one has the back pocket ripped off (I don't even know how this can happen). So I see what you're saying that to do a good job and have that mending job last I might need a machine. I feel this would be true for my son since his rips are "exposed". My husband's mending though, I feel I could do 98398409834 hand stitches to make it sturdy and even if they are willy nilly they are in the places where people can't see. That's my thought process at least.

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2015 23:56:34 GMT @janisr said:

I agree see if you can find an old machine with basic stitches to learn on, and the n if you want to advance you can buy a better machine.
Good luck
P.S. It sounds like your mom wants you to learn, can she give you some lessons?

Yes mom would be overjoyed to hear I'm wanting to sew but I'm not keen on asking her. We don't share a normal mother/daughter relationship. Any questions asked will get turned in a very big deal and extravagant projects. I probably sound like an evil child, I appreciate her knowledge and will ask her when I am in the right place mentally and physically (space-wise) which is not right now

[feather]

There is a product called TearMender that was mentioned on another thread here this past year. We purchased it because my DH often needs patches on his knees of his blue jeans. It would probably work well to clean up shreddy tears in fabric but it is probably not the easiest stuff to hand sew through.

Tear Mender is a liquid product that dries like rubber and it become clear/shiny and it glues together fabric quite well. I often hem up jeans and the threads of the edge (which I usually zigzag or finish with a serger) come loose in the wash. I put the tear mender on the inside of the hem and the fabric holds without losing threads.
www.amazon.com/Tear-Mender-6-Ounce-Original-Adhesive/dp/B001TY8PDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443640668&sr=8-1&keywords=tear+mender

I don't work for the company or have stock in them, I just use their product.

[manygoatsnmore]

I totally understand your desire to do this independently of your mother. It sounds like she overwhelms you a bit. Get yourself a good basic machine, like a Singer. WalMart actually sells a good basic Singer machine for less than $100 that does a straight stitch, zigzag (very handy for mending) and reverse, and it is a free arm machine, which just means you can slide jeans legs onto it for mending those knees. You're going to need that with an active little boy. It comes with a manual, and you can buy a book on sewing, or just watch YouTube vids to learn how to use it.

It really isn't rocket science. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can. The sewing gene missed me completely. My mom could sew anything, and did. My two sisters are excellent seamstresses, doing tailoring, sewing wedding dresses and quilting beautifully. I mend. I sew curtains from sheets - all straight seams, lol. I zigzag around the edges of terry cloth. I CAN, in theory, make a garment, and have in the past, but it is NOT my passion. So, like I said, it is possible!

[mollymckee]

My DD's all learned to see and did some in high school and college summers. After she was married a few years and had several small kids she discovered that you can hot glue a lot of things. She glued hems, holes, curtains. Luckily my DGD's like to sew!

You can watch Craig's list for a sewing machine if you can't find one at Walmart. We found a Bernina 730 for $50.00. I bought it to use at are church quilting group. It's a great portable machine, just heavy, so I leave it at church--I have others at home.

[manygoatsnmore]

I bought a Baby Lock Anna at a garage sale this year for $50, and have bought other machines for very little, used. I have a lot of machines for someone who doesn't even like to sew all that much, lol.

For someone starting out, who doesn't know whether they would be buying a good sewing machine or one needing repair, I think buying new might be a better route. The cost of repairs if you get a machine that even needs a tune up can run more than the cost of buying a simple machine.

Just my two cents.

[ketoriverfarm]

I agree with manygoatsnmore about the repairs costing as much as a new machine. Every couple of years I have to take my singer (not the basic model) in because I can the tension adjustment is not working properly. $100 every time I take it in.

[manygoatsnmore]

Yeah, the first time I called for a quote on a tension adjustment and cleaning, I about had a heart attack!

[mollymckee]

Working on non computerized sewing machines is not very hard. Cleaning them and oiling them is really easy once you have done it. I figured that if I could fix a baler I could fix a sewing machine! Computers in sewing machines scare me tho.....

[manygoatsnmore]

Oct 1, 2015 3:55:40 GMT mollymckee said:

Working on non computerized sewing machines is not very hard. Cleaning them and oiling them is really easy once you have done it. I figured that if I could fix a baler I could fix a sewing machine! Computers in sewing machines scare me tho.....

Lol, I'm learning to work on my sewing machine, but I don't think I'd have much luck working on a baler!

[mollymckee]

Usually tension problems are only caused by a few things. If the machine is threaded correctly and not catching anywhere, the bobbin is properly wound, and the machine is clean, there is probably a piece of thread caught somewhere. It is amazing how small a piece of thread can mess up the tension. You can use non waxed dental floss to "floss" the upper tension. You can also use a dollar bill to run between the areas you don't feel comfortable flossing. Be sure the presser foot is up while you do this. Then be sure the bobbin case is clean, especially the place the thread goes through. You may have to loosen the piece that holds the bobbin and clean under it. If this doesn't help, you can adjust the bobbin tension by turning the little screw on the bobbin case. I like to mark the position of the screw before I move it. If none of this works and your machine is properly oiled, repeat. You use money and dental floss because you don't want to use anything that will cause lint. I have found less than a quarter of an inch of frayed thread can cause problems. So can a bad needle, bad thread, or a a bad bobbin so check these first.

[mollymckee]

Oct 1, 2015 4:31:44 GMT manygoatsnmore said:

Oct 1, 2015 3:55:40 GMT mollymckee said:

Working on non computerized sewing machines is not very hard. Cleaning them and oiling them is really easy once you have done it. I figured that if I could fix a baler I could fix a sewing machine! Computers in sewing machines scare me tho.....

Lol, I'm learning to work on my sewing machine, but I don't think I'd have much luck working on a baler!

They are both similar, the size scale is different!  

[mollymckee]

Just another thought, if you belong to a church or other group that has a number of older ladies, let them know you are interested in learning to sew. Someone may not only sew, but know of a sewing machine that needs a good home.

[manygoatsnmore]

Not only that, but some churches have sewing groups that get together to sew clothes for mission schools in Africa, or quilts for the homeless, or other charities. Some teach sewing classes in conjunction with these activities. It would be a great way to not only learn to sew, but make like-minded friends and do some good for others.

[Deleted]

Sept 30, 2015 21:54:57 GMT mollymckee said:

My DD's all learned to see

I had to chuckle at that, not at you, but with you of course

[Deleted]

When/if I need a sewing machine I will definitely remember all the thoughts and advice here provided on that subject for sure, thank you! At the moment I got white and black thread. One needle, it's just the ordinary kind not the large one. Will get a thimble as well soon. But just practicing stitching on rags with YouTube videos as my guide It's a lot harder to stitch a straight line or even cut a straight line, than I had thought...

[kawaiitimes]

It is worth spending a couple of bucks on sewing chalk if you're having trouble with a straight line. You can draw the line out on the fabric, stitch the line, and then the chalk washes out.

[terrilynn]

I am a hand sewer, sewing machines kind of intimidate me a little bit.  I have made a few baby quilts by hand over the years but mostly just do mending now.  When I was just starting out I bought a really nice wooden sewing box, then I started going to garage and estate sales and got lots of sewing notions pretty cheap, tape measures, seam ripper, needles, thread in many different colors and a lot of it still on the wooden spools, and scissors. Its a cheap way to keep a good supply of mending stuff.

For lessons you could check out youtube for some videos.

But my advice to you was for your sons pants, not sure how old he is but thinking he is still in the age of wearing out the knees of pants?  I have 5 boys and one trick I learned a long time ago was to get some heavy iron on patches and turn the boys pants inside out and iron the patch on the inside of the jeans at the knee. You can't see it when they are wearing it but it will take them twice as long to wear a hole through them.